Chapter 1602
No.1
Victoria and Alexander’s reputations were shattered beyond repair.
They would never recover from this public humiliation.
Though inwardly triumphant, Isabella wore a mask of devastation.
She stood frozen, face pale, eyes wide with horror.
The Montgomerys and Whitmores were too busy containing the chaos.
They tried calming guests and silencing the paparazzi.
Eleanor rushed upstairs, leaving Isabella isolated.
Only one pair of eyes watched her from behind a private screen.
Nathaniel Blackwood knew this was her performance.
No.2
Yet seeing her alone, subjected to public scorn, made his chest tighten.
A sharp, unexpected pain pierced through him.
He hesitated, then rose to approach her.
Oliver Blackwood quickly grabbed his arm. “Daddy, you can’t!”
“Mommy warned me again this morning. You must not interfere today!”
Nathaniel frowned. Had Isabella anticipated his intervention?
Sebastian Blackwood chuckled beside him. “I didn’t expect the ‘show’ to be this riveting!”
“This will give the press enough material for a decade! Don’t worry, brother. I suspect there’s more to come.”
His tone was laced with anticipation.
No.3
Right on cue, Margaret Whitmore rushed toward Isabella to offer comfort.
“Isabella, please. Stay calm. I will fix this for you. That boy will be severely punished. He will apologize to you publicly!”
“This is all Victoria’s doing. You must give our Alexander a chance!”
Isabella was destined to become her daughter-in-law. That brilliant diamond mind was nearly the Whitmore family’s asset. Margaret Whitmore couldn't let it slip away. Her priority was soothing Isabella.
Isabella remained motionless, her eyes fixed on the now-black screen.
'Why did it cut off so quickly? Damn it! I should have programmed the Trojan to stream for a full hour!'
Margaret misread her fixation as profound hurt. “Isabella, you and Alexander grew up together. You know his heart belongs to you. Things were going so well between you lately! Don’t be too upset. Men have their weaknesses. I will watch him closely for you from now on,” she coaxed, gently reaching for Isabella’s hand.
“Hmph!” Isabella snatched her hand away with a cold scoff. Without a word, she tore the veil from her head. The necklace followed, clattering to the floor. Then the delicate lace gloves. Every accessory was violently discarded.
Each item was flung down with contempt. She stripped herself of everything but the wedding gown itself. Finally, she snarled, “I was ready to abandon my career for him. And this is his repayment? Compromise is not in my vocabulary. Not for Isabella Montgomery. The. Wedding. Is. Off.”
No.4
Her words were sharp, final. She shoved the engagement ring into Margaret’s palm. Holding her gown, she stormed away. Tears glistened in her eyes, yet her stride was fierce and unyielding. She perfectly embodied the betrayed woman reclaiming her power.
Her team watching—Maxwell, Julian, Harrison—silently applauded her masterful performance.
The guests in the lobby and the live-stream audience erupted in praise and respect.
The elders from the Montgomery and Whitmore families looked ready to collapse from fury and shame.
As Isabella neared the exit, Penelope rushed down the stairs and grabbed her arm. “Ms. Montgomery, wait! Please, come with me!” She urgently pulled Isabella toward the staircase.
Paparazzi trying to follow were immediately blocked by family bodyguards. Behind the screens, Nathaniel stood, Oliver in his arms. They headed for the private VIP elevator.
On the second floor of The Ritz-Carlton…
Victoria knelt on the floor, tears streaming relentlessly down her face. Alexander knelt beside her. His father, Victor Whitmore, raged before them, his anger white-hot.
Eleanor, Richard, and Benjamin Kensington were also present. They stared, hearts broken, expressions复杂. Disbelief was etched on their faces.
No.5
Victoria was their beloved, their favorite. Especially Eleanor. She never imagined Victoria capable of such indecency. During the earlier interview, Eleanor truly believed in Victoria's kindness and generosity. This revelation was a devastating blow. Eleanor had only wanted to help Victoria recover financially, even hoping to introduce her to Sebastian Blackwood!
She never dreamed Victoria would entangle herself with Alexander behind their backs. Let alone sleep with him.
The memory of Victoria’s betrayal burned in Isabella’s mind.
She clutched Victoria’s sleeves, her heart twisting in agony.
She shook her fiercely. “Why, Victoria? Why would you do this? When did you become this kind of person? Do you realize you’re destroying your own life? How could you betray me like this?”
Victoria stood frozen, completely stunned.
She felt helpless and terrified, her mind going blank.
One moment she was lost in passion with Alexander.
The next, a crowd burst into the room.
No.6
Isabella had slapped her without warning.
It wasn’t until she heard the shouting that she understood.
Everything that happened had been live-streamed.
It was over. Victoria was finished.
The whole world now knew she slept with Alexander.
Their private conversations were broadcast for all to hear.
What could she do now? How could she possibly fix this?
Nearby, Penelope was heard sobbing. “Isabella, I’m begging you. Please forgive Victoria. She’s going to be torn apart by the public! You’re the only one who can help her now!”
All eyes turned to Isabella standing calmly by the door.
No.7
She had removed all her wedding accessories.
Her hair fell loose and wild around her shoulders.
She looked beautifully disheveled, like a storm.
Victoria’s eyes widened in realization.
Isabella… Isabella was here!
This had to be her doing. It was all her plan.
She made her the bridesmaid on purpose.
She designed the wedding in Victoria’s favorite theme.